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Nils Trygg (1914–1951) was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century
woodcarving Wood carving is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentati ...
, most famous for the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Nils Trygg was born in
Småland Småland () is a historical province () in southern Sweden. Småland borders Blekinge, Scania, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means ''Small Lands''. The Latinized ...
, Sweden. He was one of three sons of Carl Johan Trygg and
Maria Axelina Andersson Maria may refer to: People * Mary, mother of Jesus * Maria (given name), a popular given name in many languages Place names Extraterrestrial *170 Maria, a Main belt S-type asteroid discovered in 1877 * Lunar maria (plural of ''mare''), large, ...
. Nils worked with his father carving wooden figures of various common people in the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Between Nils Trygg, his father and two brothers (Lars, and Carl Olaf), they carved over 10,000 figures. Many of his carvings were sold to tourists for approximately US$10. Adjusted for inflation what cost $10 in 1929 would cost $108 in 2005.


Migrating to Canada

Nils Trygg, at the age of 13, immigrated to Canada with his mother Maria (43), brother Carl Olof Trygg (17) and an unknown relative, possibly his sister, Kally Maria Trygg (8) arrived in
Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is the capital and largest municipality of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the largest municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of the 2021 Census, the municipal population was 439,819, with 348 ...
on 7 October 1928. He was proceeded in immigrating by his father Carl Johan who arrived in Halifax on 3 March 1928. The Trygg family eventually settled in
Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...
, Quebec and there they continued to carve. Together they carved thousands of figures in the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Between C. J. Trygg and his sons they carved over 10,000 figures. Many of his carvings were sold to tourists for approximately US$10.00. Adjusted for inflation what cost $10.00 in 1929 would cost $108.05 in 2005. Trygg was a craftsman in tune to the tourist trade. Trygg generally carved solo figures from
basswood ''Tilia americana'' is a species of tree in the family Malvaceae, native to eastern North America, from southeast Manitoba east to New Brunswick, southwest to northeast Oklahoma, southeast to South Carolina, and west along the Niobrara River ...
or
pine A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family (biology), family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. The World Flora Online created by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanic ...
, and mounted them on a base. He had a stylized execution with clean cuts, working from a single piece of wood. A highlight of Trygg's carvings is his use of vibrant paint. He often painted his character's clothing in plaid.


Return to Sweden

Carl Johan Trygg and Carl Olof Trygg eventually returned to Sweden, where they continued their careers. Carl Johan died there 1954 and Carl Olaf, based on the dates on his carvings, was producing figures well into the 1980s. It is not clear whether Nils Trygg returned to Sweden or stayed in
Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...


The legacy


Trygg family of woodcarvers

* Carl Johan Trygg (1877–1954) * Carl Olof Trygg (1910–1993) *Nils Johan Trygg (1914–1951) * Lars Trygg Trygg family woodcarvings are still sought after today as collectibles. There are over 10,000 carved figures that were manufactured by the members of the Trygg family. Prices range from $50 to $500 depending upon the age, size, and condition of the piece.


Identifying Trygg woodcarvings

Trygg woodcarvings can be identified by the signatures and dates on the bases. Signatures commonly found are: *''Trygg'' carved on base. — Carl Johan Trygg (Generally) *''C.J. Trygg'' — Carl Johan Trygg *''C.O. Trygg'' — Carl Olof Trygg *''L. Trygg'' — Lars Trygg *''N. E. Trygg'' — Nils Trygg *''Hand Carved by Trygg'' — Carl Johan Trygg or Carl Olof, Lars, or Nils *''Carved by Trygg Jr.'' — Carl Olof, Lars, or Nils Most of the carvings are dated and include the location carved. For example you may find a carving with ''"C.O. Trygg 1961 Sweden"'' meaning it was carved by Carl Olof Trygg in 1961 while he was living in Sweden. File:Hobo5.JPG, Carl Olof Trygg signature Image:Ggolf4.JPG, Lars Trygg signature


Notes

# # Nils Trygg was listed on the immigration record as Nils Johan Trygg. The signature used on woodcarvings he produced is ''N. E. Trygg''. It is unknown if his true middle name was ''Johan'' or if he had a second middle name or a nickname beginning with ''E''.


References

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Trygg, Nils 1914 births 1951 deaths Swedish woodcarvers